So the last episode of Oprah Winfrey’s popular talk show aired today. There are so many articles describing her effect on the television and cultural landscape. I’d encourage you to read some. She went against most of the conventional models of television at the time, and in the process, dramatically changed the way we look at ourselves.
I’m not going to do on Oprah retrospective here, but I’m sad to see her retire. Not just because she had a great show (that I watched maybe once every 4-5 months), but rather because I’m a little bit selfish.
Oprah was an example I loved to use in workshops.
Within a few years, I’m going to lose my Oprah example as a new batch of leaders emerge, unfamiliar with her presence.
Oprah built an empire on her ability to ask questions.
Seriously. Think about it.
Look at almost any episode, and Oprah spends a great deal of it asking questions. Even when she shares her insights or her feelings, she’s often come to those based on questions that she asked off camera. She’s curious and her curiosity infected us. Her questions weren’t overly self-serving or trite. She never asked a politician what his or her favorite color might be or interrupted a response to talk about her insight.
No, she was genuinely curious. She was attentive. She listened. She asked questions. And each question laid out the track for future questions.
My favorite exercise in my communication workshop is simply to have students take turns being Oprah–not to mock her by pretending everyone gets cars–but to truly stop, listen, and ask questions. Most students are truly impressed by the results.
I truly believe that asking questions is the #1 skill we need to develop as leaders. Our curiosity can help us uncover new truths, new insights, new ideas, and better relationships.
So while Oprah may no longer be present on our televisions, I hope her model remains alive in our hearts.